WHAT is 228m long, costs at least £5,000 of taxpayers’ money and has been subject of a dispute for ten years?

Although it may sound like the start of a bad joke it is in fact the battle that has been waged between residents in a small Hampshire village for a decade.

The saga of who is allowed to walk along School Lane in Bursledon has been fought between two sets of residents. One side determined to open it up as a public right of way for schoolchildren to use while the homeowners defiantly battle to keep it as a private track.

The matter has raged through local authorities right up to the Secretary of State, culminating in a week-long planning inquiry earlier this year.

Now ten years on from when the dispute began the decision has been made that the track will remain just as it was – private.

For those living along the lane the decision has come as welcome news.

Yvette Cooper, 67, said: “This is such a relief to know this decision has been made. It has gone on for so long, we are just delighted the right decision has been made.”

Retired couple Ruth and Reginald Dicks said they had found the situation “very stressful” and were glad the matter had been settled.

However, the planning inspector’s decision was criticised by those campaigning for the track to be made a public right of way.

Former councillor Diane Andrewes represented a group of residents who wanted to walk their children to school. Mrs Andrewes, the honorary secretary of the rights of way and preservation group, said: “I am very disappointed particularly on behalf of the children of Bursledon who will not have a safe route to school.”

Although the matter could now be referred to the House of Lords Mrs Andrewes said she is unlikely to take the matter any further. “I am representing the residents who wanted it opened up as a walkway so I will have to consult them but I would say at this stage it is unlikely.”